Man with a Van Cost Guide: Average Cost, Day Rates, and More

17/12/2024

Man with a van prices in the UK

If you’re moving properties and need a hand with getting your belongings from A to B, moving van hire is an efficient, flexible, and affordable option. The price of a ‘man with a van’ in the UK can vary, depending on how far you’re moving, how much you’re moving, what you’re moving, and if you require any extra services like packing equipment.

Let’s take a closer look at what you can expect in terms of cost to help you understand the differences in your moving prices. 

 

Contents

 

How much does it cost to hire a man with a van in the UK

The cost of a man with a van depends on the task you need help with. As well as helping with house moves, a man with a van can also help you collect items and bring them into your home. 

Here’s a closer look at how much a UK man with a van costs, depending on job type and distance.

Job TypeDistanceAverage Cost
Single item moveLocal (up to 10 miles)£30 – £50
Single item moveMedium (10 – 30 miles)£50 – £70
Small flat move (1-bed)Local (up to 10 miles)£50 – £80
Small flat move (1-bed)Medium (10 – 30 miles)£80 – £120
Small flat move (1-bed)Long distance (30+ miles)£120 – £180+
Small house move (2-bed)Local (up to 10 miles)£80 – £120
Small house move (2-bed)Medium (10 – 30 miles) £120 – £180
Small house move (2-bed)Long distance (30+ miles)£180 – £300+
Full house move (3-bed+)Local (up to 10 miles)£150 – £200
Full house move (3-bed+)Medium (10 – 30 miles)£200 – £300
Full house move (3-bed+)Long distance (30+ miles)£300 – £500+

 

Factors like peak times, special requests, or urgent bookings can all increase the final price. If you choose to add packaging services on top, the average cost of a full-house move packing service is around £400.

For the best man with a van deal, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few different providers so you can compare what’s included. Don’t be afraid to ask your chosen moving specialist for a detailed breakdown of the costs — no one likes any sudden surprises! 

With the right information, you can plan your move with confidence.

 

What does a man with a van do?

A typical man with a van can cover anything from day-to-day tasks to large cross-country moves. Here are some of the services you can expect from a man with a van service:

  • Local moving services: A man with a van can make moving in the local area easier by helping with all stages of your move. This could include helping you pack up your belongings, unloading them at your new property, or putting up new furniture.
  • Furniture transportation: Need to remove or transport large pieces of furniture? A man with a van can help you move sofas, beds, wardrobes, and more. 
  • Deliveries: If you’ve made a large warehouse order online, for example, you can request a man with a van to pick it up and drop it off for you.
  • Disposal and clearance: If you’ve been using your green fingers, you may be left with tons of garden waste to dispose of. Or maybe you want to get rid of old clutter and items you no longer use? A man with a van can dispose of your rubbish, giving you the time to get on with more important tasks.

 

How much does a man and a van cost per day?

If you’re after a day rate for a man with a van, you can expect to pay between £30 to £60 per hour. However, this will depend on your location, the task you have in mind, and the skill and expertise of the person you hire. Here are a few average costs and time frames to help you with your search.

 

Average costDurationDetails
Hourly rate£30 – £60 per hourMinimum 1 hour Suitable for small, quick jobs like single-item pick-ups or drop-offs.
Half-day rate£120 – £2004 hoursIdeal for smaller moves. Includes travel and loading/unloading.
Full day rate£200 – £4008 hoursRecommended for larger moves and multi-stop deliveries.
Specialist service rateAn addition £10 – £20 per hourVariesFor tasks requiring extra skill or equipment, like heavy removals or furniture assembly.

 

However, if you require more specialist help, say with furniture assembly or heavy removals, you should expect to pay a little more for the skill involved. You may also find that some man-with-a-van services charge for travel, materials, and even a booking fee. This could add around £10 – £20 to your final bill.

To avoid any sudden last-minute charges, be sure to discuss your expectations and budget with your chosen man with a van. This will ensure both parties are clued up on what needs to be done and that you’re both on the same page price-wise.

 

How are moving prices calculated for a man with a van?

You may wonder why there’s so much difference when you compare man with a van costs and quotes — and we don’t blame you! The answer to this simply comes down to how the costs are typically calculated.

  • Distance: The longer the distance for your man with a van, the more they will charge. This is to account for fuel costs and to make up for travel time.
  • Load/van size: The amount and size of the items being moved can affect the price of your moving service. If you have a larger or heavier load, this could require a bigger van or more time to load and unload.
Van sizeHourly rateHalf-day rate (4 hours)Full-day rate (8 hours)
Small£20 – £45£80 – £180£160 – £360
Medium£30 – £55£120 – £220£240 – £440
Large£40 – £70£160 – £280£320 – £560
  • Duration: Most man with a van and moving services charge by the hour. This includes the time spent loading, transporting, unloading, and any other extra services like assembly.
  • Location: If you live in a city or a high-demand area, you may find your quote to be higher compared to rural regions. This is due to demand and to cover the cost of living in busier areas like London and the South-East.

 

CityHourly RateHalf-day rate (4hrs)Full day rate (8hrs)
London£40 – £60£160 – £240£320 – £480
Manchester£35 – £55£140 – £220£280 – £440
Birmingham£35 – £50£140 – £200£280 – £400
Leeds£30 – £50£120 – £200£240 – £400
Glasgow£30 – £50£120 – £200£240 – £400
Cardiff£30 – £45£120 – £180£240 – £360
Rural areas£25 – £40£100 – £160£200 – £320

 

  • Additional services: Many man-with-a-van services can offer packing, unpacking, assembly, and disassembly as an extra charge. It can be incredibly handy and worthwhile, saving you an extra thing to worry about.
  • Time of booking: If you’re booking during peak times like weekends or summer holidays, this could be reflected in the price of your man with a van.

 

Moving services cost calculator 

Total cost = (Hourly rate x hours) + (mileage rate x distance) + additional service

To estimate your moving costs, use this straightforward formula: multiply the hourly rate by the number of hours for packing, loading, and unloading, then add the mileage rate multiplied by the distance between locations. Don’t forget to include any additional costs for extra services such as packing or special handling.

 

Man with a van vs removal company costs

Wondering what the difference is between a man with a van and a removal company? Well, the difference can be found within the scale and scope of service provided — and the mode of transport.

For instance, the cost of a removal van comes from the larger, dedicated moving van used for full-scale moves. These vans often have features like padding, straps, and sometimes even a tail lift to load heavier items. Plus, removal vans are usually one part of a full removal service, including a team of professional movers who can handle all aspects of the move if that’s what you’d prefer — from packing to unpacking.

On the other hand, a man and a van is more flexible and typically suited for smaller-scale moves or transport tasks like delivery pick-ups or rubbish drop-offs. A man with a van might not come with the same range of equipment. Still, it’s worth considering as a cost-effective moving solution when a full-scale moving service isn’t necessary — especially if you need to move a few items, deliver goods, or handle a smaller move.

 

How to save on man and a van hire costs

Want to save a few pennies on your local man with a van hire? Try these nifty tips and see how much you can save.

  • Be flexible with your dates: try to schedule your man with a van during off-peak times, like during weekdays in the middle of the day.
  • Reduce your load size as much as possible: Cut the clutter before your man with a van arrives to help you move. The less you have, the less work there is to be done. The result? A potentially lower cost.
  • Pack up your items yourself: You could always pack your belongings yourself to save on additional packing services. This means your man with a van can rock up, load, and go.
  • Book in advance: Try to hire your man with a van as soon as you know that a task needs doing. As we’ve mentioned, last-minute bookings can be more expensive, so it’s always worth planning ahead where possible.

 

Find a man with a van on Taskrabbit

Side view of loader in uniform holding couch in stretch wrap near truck with open doors on urban street

Ready to find your local man with a van? With Taskrabbit, you can search through our network of trusted movers to help make your life easier. Whether you have a delivery to send, an item to pick up, or a new local property to move to, a man with a van can be incredibly helpful and streamline the process.

Take a look at the trusted Taskers we have available, and use the filters to narrow down the results by location, price, and availability. You can then message them directly to request their man with a van service. 

Once you’ve chosen your Tasker, all you need to do is book and confirm the service details, and you’ll be on your way.

 

Man with a van cost FAQs

Are there any additional charges I should be aware of when hiring a man with a van?

You may receive extra chargers for packing, assembly, long-distance travel, and specific high-demand time slots. Don’t forget to ask your man with a van for a detailed breakdown of these costs.

 

How far in advance should I book a man and a van?

As with anything, you should aim to book your man with a van as soon as possible — especially if you need help during peak times. Getting an early booking could help you secure a better rate.

 

What happens if there is damage to my items during the move?

Many moving services have insurance or liability coverage. Always check this with your chosen moving specialist before booking. For this reason, it’s also a good idea to photograph or insure your valuable items before they get transported.

 

How can I find affordable moving services in London?

If you’re based in London and looking for the cheapest man with a van service, start with Taskrabbit. Simply search for a man with a van and check out the reviews, ratings, and services of our friendly Taskers. 

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